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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 01/13/2005Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes January 13, 2005 HRC Members Present: Caroline Tu Farley, Maryanne Ingratta, Elaine Boni, Parker Preble, JoAnn Ginal, Mohammed Siddiqui, Lester Washington HRC Members Absent: Jack Coleman Staff Members Present: Kelly DiMartino, Brenda Speake I. Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. II. Agenda Review and Approval Maryanne moved to re -order the agenda and have the introduction of new HRC members before public input. Caroline seconded. Motion carried. III. Introduction of New HRC Members Mohammed Siddiqui was born in India, moved to Pakistan and then to Washington, D.C. He eventually moved to Boulder, Colorado and in 1964 became a Professor with Colorado State University's Department of Statistics. He holds a Masters Degree in Mathematics and a P.H.D. in Statistics. Dr. Siddiqui retired in 2002 and has served on the HRC Task Force. Has an interest in human relations education and believes that a long term plan is needed to educate students and people at large about diversity. Lester Washington had an encounter with hatred at the age of 10 while living in Florida and believes that hatred destroys communities. He holds a Masters Degree in Counseling and Education and a Degree in Theology. Lester indicated that he has studied black churches and racism and he is a Christian. He moved to Mississippi and then Fort Collins. Lester joined the HRC because several people asked him to consider it and also to contribute to the Fort Collins community and help make a change. He wants to be proactive rather than reactive. IV. Public Input Prospective HRC member Paige Backlund Jarquin from Planned Parenthood was in attendance. V. Approval of Minutes Elaine moved to accept minutes as amended. Caroline seconded. Motion carried. VI. Subcommittee Reports a. Educational Caroline reported on the January 10 Not in Our Town (NIOT) forum planning committee meeting. The NIOT forum will be held on April 16 from 10 a.m. — noon in the Council Chambers at City Hall. HRC members discussed whether planning and participation in the forum should be limited to Fort Collins or include participation of other communities, namely Loveland. Caroline motioned to include Loveland representatives in future forum planning meetings. JoAnne seconded. Motion failed 3 - 4. b. Government Relations Elaine reported on the Liaison Training Program and the ride -a -long program. HRC members that still need to conduct a ride -a -long will find an available date to do such. Elaine encouraged HRC members to watch Council meetings and study sessions in order to know and understand the issues discussed. C. Media and Community Recognition HRC discussed meeting conduct and the chairperson's participation and conferred that the Chairperson will be allowed to discuss issues and vote. Maryanne agreed to serve as interim chair for the Media and Community Recognition Committee while Jack is on leave due to medical issues. Maryanne will facilitate the HRC breakfast as well. Elaine agreed to contact Al Yates and request that he be the keynote speaker for the HRC Awards Breakfast in May, 2005. d. Executive Delegation Parker reported that he had met with Mary to transfer materials and discuss outstanding issues. Parker requested that subcommittee chairs provide information for the 2004 Annual Report to Kelly by January 20, 2005. HRC members discussed status of and process for the Coloradoan articles. Maryanne will contact Michael Limon after organizing schedules and content ideas for articles. VIL Liaison Reports a. Community Based i. Northern Colorado Multicultural Corp. No report. ii. Face to Face Elaine reported they will have 2 meetings a year and the website is moving to the City's Human Rights Office site. Elaine attended the Citizens Review Board meeting. iii. NIOT Caroline attended and reported on the NIOT meeting. iv. Business No report. V. Education Lester and Mohammed agreed to serve as liaisons. Members discussed responsibilities and scope of projects. vi. InterFaith Council Mohammed agreed to be the HRC liaison to the Interfaith Council. VII. Budget Report Kelly provided an update on the HRC budget. HRC members approved funding to cover the cost of attending the Multicultural Community Retreat for HRC members who have not previously attended the Retreat and who wish to do so. VIII. Old Business 2004 Annual Report — previously discussed. Calendar — Maryanne will send the 2005 calendar to all HRC members. HRC Task Force — Elaine will facilitate the next task force meeting. HRC discussed their role regarding the task force as well as current task force momentum and goals to re -energize the group. Meeting Reflections- Parker requested an HRC mission and purpose statement from Maryanne. X. New Business MLK March — HRC members encouraged to participate. Elaine will provide the signs and Maryanne the banner. Multicultural Retreat — Previously discussed Parker will add to the next agenda a discussion about the Mennonite questions. Nominations — Parker expressed interest in serving as HRC Chairperson and emphasized a "commission run commission." Maryanne and Caroline are both seeking the position of vice chair. Elections will be held in February. Kelly handed out the new Boards and Commissions manuals. Kelly reminded HRC members that all meetings, including subcommittees, have to be publicized if there will be more than 3 HRC members in attendance. Information should be sent to Brenda Speake for placement on the public meeting calendar. XIII. Adjournment Lester move to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m. 1, 'w- Parker Preble, Acting Chairperson Signed on this date: Ma 1"G k (C (lJ5 Kelly DiMartino, Staff Liaison